"I am very disappointed and puzzled by the verdict. The court is obligated to serve as the final defender of social justice and should have taken the opportunity to stop such campaign tactics by annulling the election," he said.
"I call on all voters to punish those who use such campaign tactics with your votes by supporting the KMT," he said.
Ma said the KMT would not file lawsuits against the judges.
DPP vice presidential candidate Su Tseng-chang (
"The KMT smiles if it wins elections, and causes disturbances if it loses. The party has made a mess of Taiwan for many years, and I urge it not to cause any more trouble this time," Su said when approached for comment on the verdict.
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
"Let all disputes stop here," Chang said, adding that all parties should work together to benefit Kaohsiung residents.
President Chen said he hoped that the ruling would end the controversy surrounding the Kaohsiung election results.
"The ruling has returned justice to Mayor Chen Chu, residents of Kaohsiung City and Taiwan's democracy. I hope that the verdict will be respected," he said when approached by reporters for a comment.
"You can't just say that the fairness of an election is problematic simply because of a slim margin. Given that, it was still a democratic result ? There are two important elections coming. Don't let chaos ensue," he said. reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan and CNA
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